The Power of One

-Savanah Jidas does a lot of walking around looking to capture on camera that which inspires her.

Last spring, she found inspiration in a bee on a flower in her front yard. This spring, that photograph, along with an accompanying artist statement about the “Power of One,” inspired judges in the First Annual Kappy Family Anne Frank Art and Writing Competition, who awarded Jidas second place in the photography category of the contest.

“I like how I can take a picture and put meaning and a message in it,” said Jidas, who estimates she has taken more than 7,000 photographs since she took up the hobby two years ago. She found some success earlier this year as well, when she received two honorable mentions in the 2017 Scholastic Art competition.

On May 10, she attended the awards ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, where her work is on display along with other winners in three categories, which besides photography included drawing and painting. Writing categories included poetry, essay or short story.

The theme of the contest, “The Power of One,” emphasized the impact of individuals and invited youth to create an artistic response to “How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world,” a quote by Anne Frank, a Jewish victim of the Holocaust, who kept a diary for two years while hidden in a building in the Netherlands during World War II. Her diary was published posthumously as “Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl.”

“On behalf of the judging committee, I want to commend all the students who entered the competition. Their pieces were all beautiful and thought provoking,” said Robin Axelrod, Director of Education, Holocaust Memorial Center. “It is our hope that all those who visit the museum take the time to view the pieces to see how teens, who are the same age that Anne Frank was when she wrote her diary, express the lessons that they have learned about the Holocaust.”

Jidas has not yet read “Diary of a Young Girl,” but said she would like to. She was moved by her first visit to the Holocaust Memorial Center last week, where she saw the exhibit “Anne Frank: A History for Today,” which will be at the center through June 10.

“It’s very touching and you can explore and see what really went on during that time,” said Jidas, who plans to continue studying art. “I’d like to improve the world by showing what matters and focusing on the important things— who you are and to be yourself and don’t worry about what other people think.”

For more information on the Holocaust Memorial Center, visit www.holocaustcenter.org or call 248-553-2400.

Artist statement by

Savanah Jidas

Who would think a creature so small would have such a huge impact on the world? One bee may visit up to 5,000 flowers in a single day. Pollination happens when there is a transfer of tiny pollen cells from one part of a plant to another part, so that a plant can produce seeds. It is believed that in North America 30% of food that humans eat is from plants pollinated by bees, as well as crops grown for livestock. They are one of the hardest working insects in the world.

I love to take pictures of the delicate beauty of flowers in the summer. To find a bumble bee on a flower makes it extra special, especially when you get to see it working up close. It is an amazing and unique creature. It reminds you of how the power of one can change the lives for many. It is not about how big, strong, powerful or rich you are, or what you will get back in return. It is about your determination, work ethic, and selflessness. You can help the world bee a better place. Bee all you can bee, because it only takes “The Power of One.”